re: Chicago Cubs Super Prospect Futureboner Sploosh Emporium Thread | Maddon Thread

So, the Cubs have a new manager. He's probably one of the best managers in the game. The Cubs also have arguably the best farm system in baseball now, as well as prospects aplenty and a once-in-a-lifetime talent at 3B ready to make his debut.

What's on the agenda? I think it's pitching. The Cubs should now have zero problems landing free agent pitching with the addition of Joe Maddon as their manager and a burgeoning youth core to support the pitching staff. I still think a veteran bat in the outfield could do the Cubs wonders, and with the addition of Maddon I'd expect someone like Jonny Gomes or someone similar to be that player.

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What's on the agenda? I think it's pitching

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I expect they'll put all their eggs i the Jon Lester basket with shields being the backup plan, adn trading for cole hammels being the backup to the backup plan. I know that gordo (i think) said he's got it on good authority that the cubs will go after scherzer too, but I just don't see it.

After Lester/Shields/Hammels i think you start looking at the Masterson/Hammel/Peavy tier with peavy being my least desirable out of that. (and that lester/peavy reunion that peavy mentioned...that's silly, not saying it won't happen but they're not any more connected than anyone else out there so screw that package deal talk).

No russel martin please, but that's going to take off until he's overpaid for too long somewhere else.

I think you're spot on with Johnny Gomes, in fact that's who jesse rodgers put as his most likely to be landed in a chat.

Personally I really like the idea floated by a few people of trading for heyward (or the good upton*) with the idea of trying to sign them, if not, making a qualifying offer after next season, getting that draft pick and then it's back to building the farm and the big league club at the same time. Also I think Heyward would be a good fit.

*without rocking the boat too much, i guess we could get the bad upton too...assuming we trade our bad overpaid pitcher, EJax, for their bad overpaid outfielder.

Also i don't expect it to happen, but you won't see me gnashing my teeth if we non-tender wood. I think his performance this year is closer to what you can expect from him going forward as opposed to last year. And had it not been for ejax, fans (maybe although i think fans still feel like he's more of 'their guy' than ejax, and he's not handsomely paid) would be screaming for his head.

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No russel martin please, but that's going to take off until he's overpaid for too long somewhere else.

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Man, it's time for the Cubs to spend. You're going to pay premium for a premium position. Martin is a veteran who can help this team immediately. I like Beef, but he's horrible at framing pitches.

The Cubs can legitimately get Maddon, Lester, Insert second pitcher here, Gomes, AND Russell Martin this offseason, and still be in really good shape.

It's time man. No more buying at the thrift shop.

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Man, it's time for the Cubs to spend

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And they will.

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Martin is a veteran who can help this team immediately.

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I agree

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like Beef, but he's horrible at framing pitches.

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I think he ranks right at the bottom in that measure so again i agree.


My concern isn't for year 1 or 2. It's what an aging catcher coming off a career year at 31 years old in a contract year will command (call it the brian mccann effect). I think it'll be too high to be smart spending. Especially if you believe that Schwarber is going to stick at catcher.

I still think beef can be more than serviceable at that position and resources can be used else where.

Paying a premium for a premium defensive catcher is not getting into bad habits IMO. I think it's a wise investment.

You will be really upgrading your defense and pitch framing (I think his offense will drop off, but it's still above average) at arguably the most important position on the field.

If I want a veteran anywhere, it's behind the plate. That's just me though. I'm just glad we can sit here and actually talk about getting Russell Martin, and it be like 4th or 5th best off season signing we can possibly do.

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I think that comes down to how many years you think he'll get. How many years do you think it'll take to land him?

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TBH, don't know. It will be hefty for sure, but for me it makes sense at catcher as opposed to, say, a LF'er.

BN was estimating a 4-5 year deal somewhere between $12-$15/year. That's awfully steep for a guy entering his mid 30's let alone a catcher.

What I mean by bad habits is simply this: The Hendry regime got themselves into trouble by paying for past performance. I like Martin as much as the next guy if only for his clubhouse presence alone. But consider me less than excited to sign an aging catcher coming off of his best statistical year to a 4 or 5 year deal. Years 1 and 2 might work out, but in years 3, 4 and 5, guys like KB, Soler, Baez may be hitting their prime and we'll have a 36 year old catcher making $12-$15 million a year on the books.

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BN was estimating a 4-5 year deal somewhere between $12-$15/year. That's awfully steep for a guy entering his mid 30's let alone a catcher.

What I mean by bad habits is simply this: The Hendry regime got themselves into trouble by paying for past performance. I like Martin as much as the next guy if only for his clubhouse presence alone. But consider me less than excited to sign an aging catcher coming off of his best statistical year to a 4 or 5 year deal. Years 1 and 2 might work out, but in years 3, 4 and 5, guys like KB, Soler, Baez may be hitting their prime and we'll have a 36 year old catcher making $12-$15 million a year on the books.

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Wait, I thought the whole premise of this discussion was signing a veteran? Any veteran you sign on a 5 year contract will be those ages, and will most likely demand premium at the end of their contract. That's just how it is in the new free agency. Why not get one where defensive stats (framing pitches, calling games) does not drop off nearly as much as most other positions?

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on this one.

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Wait, I thought the whole premise of this discussion was signing a veteran?

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Yes, that's part of the plan for this year (or trading for one).

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Any veteran you sign on a 5 year contract will be those ages,

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Yes, but not every veteran you'll have to sign for five years (also lester is a veteran and fills a dire need). Plenty of speculation that we'd even get a platoon like outfielder who is a veteran (enter johnny gomes).